Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Xeon E5-2660 v4

AMD

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2660 v4

14 Cores28 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2016
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Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Xeon E5-2660 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

2017

Why buy it

  • Draws 95W instead of 105W, a 10W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (15,570 vs 15,650).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 35 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2660 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.
  • Launch MSRP is still $399 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2660 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2660 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • +118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X better than Xeon E5-2660 v4?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2660 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $399 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2660 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Xeon E5-2660 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 15,570 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E5-2660 v4

The Xeon E5-2660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,650 points. Launch price was $1,445.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v4 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X scores 15,570 against the Xeon E5-2660 v4's 15,650 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2660 v4.

FeatureRyzen 7 PRO 1700XXeon E5-2660 v4
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+19%
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+70%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
35 MB+119%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+14529%
3.5 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark
15,570
15,650
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 7 PRO 1700XXeon E5-2660 v4
Socket
AM4
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X) / not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v4). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X targets Desktop.

FeatureRyzen 7 PRO 1700XXeon E5-2660 v4
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop